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Swadeshi Should Be Every Indian’s Life Mantra:  Modi

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said swadeshi should be every Indian’s life mantra, stressing that his government’s Make in India initiative has created a favourable environment for both global and domestic manufacturers.

Flagging off Maruti Suzuki’s first electric vehicle, the e-Vitara, from the company’s Hansalpur facility in Gujarat, Modi declared: “The world will drive electric vehicles that are made in India.”

Urging citizens to choose swadeshi products, he explained that investment could come from anywhere, but Indians should do the work. “By that definition, Maruti Suzuki is also a swadeshi company,” he said.

Calling the day a milestone for Make in India, the Prime Minister highlighted that India-made electric vehicles will be exported to over 100 countries. “Swadeshi should be everyone’s life mantra. My definition of swadeshi is where anybody may invest money, but the hard work is by Indians,” he said.

Showcasing India’s manufacturing progress, Modi noted that in the past decade, electronics production has grown 500 per cent, mobile production 2,700 per cent, and defence production 200 per cent.

He emphasised that India’s “democracy, demography, and skilled workforce” create a win-win situation for every partner. “Today, the entire world is looking towards India. At such a time, no state should lag. Every state must compete in reforms, pro-development policies, and good governance,” he said.

The Prime Minister urged states to attract investors through healthy competition: “Investors coming to India should be so confused that they wonder whether to go to this state or that state.”

Looking ahead, Modi said India is pushing Mission Manufacturing to strengthen industries of the future. “India is not going to stop here. In the sectors where we have performed well, we aim to do even better. Our focus now is on futuristic industries, including semiconductors,” he added.